Robert David Carr

Born in San Antonio on May 10, 1940, Rocky was the fifth child of Sterling and Frieda Carr’s eight children. Rocky attended St. Gerard Catholic School for 12 years where he excelled in sports, achieving all-state and all-city honors in football. After attending San Antonio Junior College for two years, Rocky joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves in 1962, where he served aboard Coast Guard Cutters along the West Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico for ten years.

Rocky’s career included over fifty years of meritorious service through pioneering achievements and contributions in database management and software development. Rocky retired in 2012.

He met Verna Lee in 1972, and entered the sacrament of marriage on March 17, 1973 ,in San Antonio. Over the years, they lived in various cities, but in 1982, Austin became their permanent home. During his final days, Rocky fondly looked back on the 34 years in their home known as R&V Double Acres and the lifetime of joyful memories they made with friends and family by opening their home for others to cherish as much as they have.

Rocky had a gentle and peaceful spirit that always brought a sense of calm to any situation. He treasured the love he gave to and received from his wife, children and grandchildren and felt especially blessed to watch his grandchildren grow.

A spiritual, generous and compassionate person, Rocky participated in numerous charitable, civic, family, and religious organizations and activities. He was a charter member of and held several positions at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin and held the position of Past Grand Knight for Knights of Columbus Council 8156. He held key positions for 25 years with People Against Violent Crime, the unique and commendable Texas organization devoted to helping crime victims and to promote their rights.

Rocky always made time for his family and friends and had many interests that kept him active including fishing, hunting, gardening, horseshoes, and swimming. He also enjoyed his monthly “Special Projects Committee” of playing poker with some of his dearest friends for the last 30 years. Rocky was a devoted collector of Dallas Cowboys and Charlie Brown memorabilia, both of which brought him and the grandchildren great joy.

Rocky was a cancer survivor for 25 years. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July and gave one final courageous battle. He was always true to a quote, “Life is God’s gift to man. What we do with it is our gift to God.” Rocky’s endless love and dedication he had for his family was a joy to behold, and his example as a husband, father, grandfather and friend leaves a remarkable legacy.

On behalf of Rocky’s family, we extend our gratitude to all who have shown our family so much love and generosity. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Jamie with Hospice Austin. We would also like to thank our special angel, Carol Funderburgh, for her perpetual friendship and compassionate care for us all through this journey.

Rocky is preceded in death by his parents, Sterling Thomas and Frieda Catherine (Stall) Carr.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted and loving wife of 43 years, Verna Lee, son Gary Carr (Ann) of Spring Branch, son Vernon Carr (Jennifer) of Corpus Christi, and daughter Kristy Almager (Ruben) of Dripping Springs. Rocky had six grandchildren, Colton (22), Justin (17), Catherine (16), Kelly (13), Olivia (10), and Landon (7). Seven siblings all from San Antonio; Arlene Mahan (James), Fr. Alton Carr, Jean Shaner, Sylvia Doderer, Sterling Carr, Nancy Brown and Shirley Jones (Rick). Rocky also leaves numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Mass of Resurrection will be officiated by his brother, Fr. Alton Carr, CSsR, Fr. James Shea, CSsR, and Msgr. Oliver Johnson at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin on Friday, November 18, 2016, at 2:00 pm.

Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park, where Rocky will be laid to rest in the Garden of Memories located at 6300 West William Cannon Drive, in Austin, Texas, with reception immediately following.

Pallbearers include Bryan Carr (Nephew); David Doderer (Nephew); David Funderburgh (Friend); Terry Keel (Friend); Clay Kruse (Childhood Friend/Best Man); Jimmy Mahan (Nephew); Mark Sawa (Friend); and Richard Stober (Friend).

Memorial donations may be made through the gift of spending time with your family and friends and giving back to your community. When all is said and done, the journey of a man is greater by loving greatly, giving selflessly and generously welcoming others into his heart and home.

Friends and family are invited to view a tribute to Rocky online at https://youtu.be/OiblBpS21h4